What is this effect called?

Question

Suppose, I am on the phone with someone, and saying "One moment please", but it is not enough. There is a certain tone to it. I can mean it in a rude way, like i want to keep them waiting, or I can imply by the tone, i want them to wait some time, or I can tell them with a smile or laugh, like I am trying to be cool with it.

However, in all there cases, i m saying "One moment please", but people can differentiate between all different senarios. First, why is this a deal for people? ie, how it is said more important than what is said? Secondly, what is this effect called? like interlacing a specific tone or conotation to what is being said, in plain english. That is to say, two ideas are conveyed in the same sentence, when talking.

Answer 1

"Intonation". And maybe "stress", too.

That reminds of a famous joke about Stalin and Trotsky :

"Stalin is standing in front of a crowd, reading a telegram from Trotsky, "Stalin. You were right, and I was wrong. You are the true heir of Lenin. I should concede power to you. Trotsky." "

"Then a little voice pipes up from the front row, "Comrade Stalin, I do not think you read that telegram in a way that conveys its historical importance." So Stalin says, "Comrades, here is a common man who wishes to read that telegram to you -- please, come to the podium."

"A mousy guy steps up, takes the telegram, goes to the microphone and says, "Stalin. You were right and I was _wrong_? _You_ are the true heir of Lenin? _I_ should concede power to you? TROTSKY!""

Answer 2

I think that you are talking about "vocal intonations."

To be really good at reading it, you must be well acquainted with the speech style of the person you are talking to. Some people use a lot of vocal intonations and others (like me) keep them to a bare minimum.

My speech style is almost "flat" for the express purpose of preventing people from "reading anything into it!"
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